Dear Interested Reader,
Leaders from the 1st Armored Div. and Iraqi SF meet to discuss security issues. Numaiyah schools receive goodies and children give out smiles. U.S. AF assume IP Transition Team responsibilities in Rashid. Diwaniya , enjoying improved security, is bustling with activity. The IA assumes authority of PB Inchon, while many terrorists and criminals are detained.
Joanna
___________________________
Oct. 29, 2008
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
ISF and mayor visit Numaniyah girl schools
FOB DELTA - Iraqi SF and the mayor of Numaniyah handed out backpacks, books, candy and stuffed animals to elementary and middle school girls Oct. 23, in Numaniyah.
Soldiers from the 41st Fires Bde, who gathered some of the donated supplies, went along for the ride. Maj. Gen. al-Haneen, Wasit Provincial Directorate of Police, watched as his police officers helped hand out the supplies. "We are very happy to be able to give these items to the girls," said al-Haneen. "This shows them that we support them, and it's just great to see them smile."
As the crowd entered the elementary school, the girls came out of their classrooms to see what the commotion was. Many of the younger girls were scared, but the older ones swarmed toward their guest. Most of them wanted their pictures taken and looked for someone holding a camera.
Each classroom had visitors drop off items and talk. A local news crew took the time to snap photos, record video and interview the students.
After visiting the elementary school the group then took a short walk to the middle school. Reaction at the middle school was more subdued on the outside, but once the visitors entered rooms, the students cheered and laughed.
Many of the classes were reading out loud, and as one girl finished, the teacher asked for a volunteer to read the next paragraph. Almost everyone raised a hand and some started to yell "me," hoping for
the teacher to pick them. A chorus of "thank you" in Arabic followed the group from room to room and smiles lit the faces of everyone.
"This is a great way for the security forces to show the younger generation, especially the girls, that they care about them and want to help," said Spc. Jose Vilchiz, personal security detail, 41st Fires Bde. "All in all, the entire mission was successful, and it helps the ISF gain the local populace's trust."
Girls at an elementary school crowd around Soldiers with cameras to get their picture taken.
(Army Photos by Spc. Tiffany Evans)
Two elementary school girls in Numaniyah wait for local Iraqi SF to hand them books and stuffed animals. Oct. 23.
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ISF, CF partners discuss security issues
FOB HAMMER - Leaders from the 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Div, and local Iraqi SF met to assess security of the Mada'in Qada region of Iraq during a security meeting at FOB Hammer, Oct. 23.
Participants focused on a number of issues in the Mada'in Qada, including, cooperation between the SF and security of the provincial elections in January. Transition of the SoI into an GOI controlled SF was another key point discussed.
"Previously SoI didn't trust the GOI, fearing that when CF left they would be left on the street without any money and jobless," said Staff Maj. Gen. Qassim, comm. gen. of the 9th IA Div. "The GOI recognized the sacrifices of the SoI, and has accepted them into the Iraqi SF, and will be paying them."
"Since the Iron Bde and the 35th IA Bde began ops, the area has made a complete 180 degree turn," said Qassim. "Eight months ago, (Iraqi citizens) were displaced and afraid to come back. Now that the area is safer many of them are coming home."
Staff Maj. Gen. Qassim and Col. Pat White, cmdr. of the 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Div., share their goals. (Army photo by Pfc. Evan Loyd)
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Airmen assume IP Transition Team responsibilities in Rashid
FOB FALCON - MND - Baghdad Soldiers welcomed a U.S. Air Force detachment to its ranks recently at FOB Falcon, in southern Baghdad.
The Airmen of Detachment 3 have assumed responsibility for all Iraqi Police Transition Team (IPTT) ops for the entire Rashid district and now work alongside Soldiers from the 1st BCT, 4th ID.
"There are very few Air Force units that go outside the wire, and that's what we do every day," said Master Sgt. Tom Daniels, flight sgt. assigned to Det. 3, 732nd Expeditionary SF, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, attached to the 716th MP Bn, 18th MP Bde.
The Airmen are from 52 different bases worldwide, said Daniels. All but one of them is active-duty AF, and they all volunteered to deploy for the yearlong mission.
The transition team holds a bi-monthly conference at FOB Falcon to measure improvements and gather info for IPs, said Capt. Matt Ballanco, det. ops officer for Det. 3.
The focus of the transition team is to identify and fix administration issues at the IP stations, continue to improve the emergency response system, and develop tactics for better crime scene preservation, said Ballanco.
Maj. Nathan Schallas, the cmdr. of Det. 3, challenged the IP leaders to take the lead during an IP Summit Oct. 22, as American forces move into over watch control and the GOI raises its interest in aiding the Iraqi SF throughout the Rashid district. "The top priorities for the IPs are the safety of the Iraqi population and the disruption of criminal activity," stated Schallas.
The Airmen of Det. 3 remain committed to ensuring the IPs are a fully-capable and self-sufficient police force in every respect, from securing the community and its people to completing necessary paperwork at the station, concluded Daniels.
AF Capt. Matt Ballanco speaks to IP leaders.
(Army photo by Sgt. David Hodge)
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Mullins, ops officer assigned to HHD, 1st BCT, speaks to IP leaders. Mullins attended the AF-led meeting, to measure their improvements and gather info for the IPs.
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Iraqi Security Forces capture 15 in northern Iraq
BALAD - On Oct. 24, Iraqi SOF captured 10 suspected AQI cell members in eastern Mosul. The cell is believed to be involved with IEDs, VBIEDs and small-arms fire attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces.
In a separate op Oct. 24, ISOF captured 3 AQI members in the Udaim River Valley. Two individuals are believed to be AQI emirs who are allegedly responsible for conducting intimidation attacks in the area.
On Oct. 23, Al Qaim SWAT team captured a suspected criminal in Husaybah. The individual is believed to be a weapons smuggler associated with the Abu Ghadiyah network and distributes money to other criminal cells.
In another op Oct. 22, Iraqi NP captured a suspected criminal in Samarra who is believed to be the Shaykh of a new insurgent group named Al Muraba Duhn. The individual is suspected of conducting attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces.
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ISF capture 9 during operations in central Iraq
BALAD - On Oct. 23, elements from the IA arrested a criminal on a Ministry of Justice warrant in Najaf. He is suspected of being involved in extra-judicial killings (EJK), IED emplacement, weapons trafficking and attacks against CF. Two additional people were detained.
In a separate op in Najaf on Oct. 23, 8th IA arrested a suspected criminal Bn Cmdr on a Diwaniyah Supreme Court warrant who is allegedly responsible for directing the ops of an EJK cell and smuggling weapons. He is also believed to be involved in IED, EFP and indirect fire attacks against Iraqi and CF. Another suspect was captured who is believed to be a leader of 2 companies in Al Kut. and was possibly involved in the kidnapping of British contractors in May 2007 and responsible for funding criminal groups in Baghdad.
On Oct. 22, Iraqi SOF arrested 2 suspected AQI terrorists on MoJ warrants in the Baghdad area. They are believed to be a part of an AQI cell.
In another op, ISOF captured a suspected criminal leader in the Hayyaniyah district of Basrah on Oct. 22. The criminal is believed to be involved in the kidnapping and murder of an IA soldier, and other EJK's. One additional person was detained.
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IA captures suspected criminal leader, detains two other suspects in Najaf op
BALAD - The IA captured a suspected Special Groups criminal leader and facilitator and detained 2 other suspected criminals in the Saad neighborhood of Najaf, Oct. 24.
The criminal leader is wanted for his participation in killing several IA soldiers in Diwyaniyah in addition to assisting in assassinations against Iraqis. He is said to be a facilitator of EFPs, IEDs, and weapons movement, including purchasing armament for terrorist activities.
During the op, IA also detained 2 other suspected criminals. One of the men who attempted to flee the premises by jumping off the roof of a three-story home is believed to be a criminal in Diwyaniyah. The other individual is said to be related to a cleric and is believed to be a SGC facilitator who recently traveled to Syria. IA, assisted by CF in this op, also confiscated SG propaganda.
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Patrol reveals Iraqis seek to improve city
DIWANIYA - The signs are evident that city of Diwaniya is bustling with activity. "I think it's great that we saw a lot of people cleaning up, trying to improve," said Pfc. Mark Windam, with B Co, 2nd Bn, 8th Inf. Regt. Most of the Soldiers in the plt, including Windam, are on their first deployment to Iraq and admit that even though they haven't been here before, they seem surprised that the conditions here are different than what they've heard from either the media or those who have been here previously.
"I think there has been a positive change. Hopefully one day this country will be better (for its entire people)," Windam said.
"The threat has gone down," said 1st Lt. John Mullany, plt leader. "The IA has done a great job establishing security around Diwaniya. Every local that we talk to says 'we're safe'." Mullany added that although there is a large variety in the quality of training, Diwaniya has become safer overall due to the professionalism and competence of the Iraqi SF.
"Today they were pretty good. They all have great potential and are willing to learn," he said. "It's only a matter of time until (the ISF) get on the same page and don't need us anymore."
1st Lt John Mullany walks with an interpreter down the streets of Diwaniya during their patrol.
(Army photos by Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Burger II)
SSgt. Tarras Ray, B Co, covers the rear of the formation during the dismounted patrol of Diwaniya market.
Iraqi children wave and greet Pvt. David Couleas, B Co, as he moves down the streets of Diwaniya.
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Garry Owen Battalion scores 'goal' in Amarah
COB Garry Owen - Scrambling for the ball, the 2 men collided, both focused on the mission at hand, Oct. 23. The man in red, a member of the IA, came to his feet first and dashed toward the soccer ball,
while his blue clad opponent, a member of the Abu Rummanah District All-Stars, could do nothing but watch.
The American Soldiers, assigned to the 2nd Bn, 7th Cav Regt, 4th BCT, 1st Cav Div, along with nearly 400 Amaran citizens, gathered to watch the first soccer match on the newly built field. "We wanted to be here with these people," said Lt. Col. Bohneman, the Cmdr. of the Garry Owen troops. "It's important to show that we are partnering with them in something other than combat ops."
The Garry Owen and IA soldiers have formed a partnership to stop illegal weapon smuggling along the southeastern Iraq-Iran border. But on this day, you could barely here the official whistle over the cheering and applause, as the American Soldiers showed their support for their Iraqi counterparts.
Ali Al Sa'ada, the goalkeeper for the Abu Rummanah team, said the new soccer field is good for the community because it gives the young people a safe place to gather and hang out.
There was no official score or time clock during the event, because the real "goal" was to show how the Iraqi and American Soldiers are improving the city of Amarah through partnership.
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Iraqi Army takes over PB Inchon
CAMP STRIKER - The IA officially assumed authority of Patrol Base Inchon during a base turnover in Qarghuli Village, Oct. 20.
The 17th IA Div took over from Co. D, 3rd Bn., 187th Inf Regt, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn Div. (AASLT).
After the establishment of the patrol base, Qarghuli Village was one of the first areas to adopt the SoI program. "The ops conducted from Inchon helped establish and legitimize the SoI in the eyes of the govt," said 1st Lt. Colin Corrigan, Co. D, fire support officer. "Many civil service projects were completed such as the water treatment facility."
"Patrol Base Inchon stands as a symbol of partnership. Our IA counterparts trained and lived beside us for the past year," said Capt. Frank Castro, Co. D, cmdr. "The dramatic positive change that has been seen would not have been possible without combined efforts from the IA, Coalition and people of Qarghuli."
The majority of the Rakkasans' patrol bases will have been handed over to the IA by November.
1st Sgt Dean Hubach, Co. D, furls the company's guidon during the PB Inchon turnover ceremony.
(Army photo by Pfc. Christopher McKenna)
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